SYDNEY, Australia — U.S. teen movie star Ashley Olsen has canceled a trip to
Australia to stay with her twin sister Mary-Kate who was admitted
to hospital this week, a spokesman for the pair said Thursday, amid
rumors Mary-Kate was suffering from an eating disorder.

Ashley will not attend the Australian premiere of New York
Minute – the twins' new film – in Melbourne next week, said Robert
Thorne, the chief executive of Dualstar Entertainment Group, their
entertainment empire, in a statement.

"Ashley Olsen has decided to be with her family at this time,"
Thorne said.

Earlier this week, U.S. magazines reported that Mary-Kate was
suffering from anorexia nervosa. Anorexics are obsessed with losing
weight and often exercise excessively or refuse to eat.

Mary-Kate entered "a treatment facility to seek professional
help for a health-related issue," her publicist Michael Pagnotta
said Tuesday, but did not elaborate.

"While it is unfortunate that plans have been canceled,
Mary-Kate and Ashley appreciate everyone's support and
understanding at this time. They look forward to coming to
Australia and New Zealand in the very near future," Thorne's
statement said.

Mary-Kate and Ashley turned 18 on June 13, assuming control of
Dualstar Entertainment. They are estimated to be worth US$150
million each.

They've been acting together since they were 9 months old, most
notably on the sitcom Full House and in a series of
direct-to-video movies. They have also attached their names to a
line of merchandise including clothing, beauty products and home
decorating materials.

New York Minute did poorly at the U.S. box office after its
May release. – Sapa-AP